Multi-purpose missile container



Nov. 12, 1968 w. ALLAN MULTI-PURPOSE MISSILE CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed on, 13. 1966 FIG.

William L.-A|lun,

INVENTQR.

Nov. 12, 1968 w. L. ALLAN MULTIPURPOSE MISSILE CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 13, 1966 William L. Allan,

INVENTOR. 7% Z United States Patent 3,410,172 MULTI-PURPOSE MISSILE CONTAINER William L. Allan, 419 S. Edgemont Circle, Huntsville, Ala. 35811 Filed Oct. 13, 1966, Ser. No. 587,381 2 Claims. (Cl. 891.804)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A missile container for storing a missile therein in an inert atmosphere. The missile is retained in the container during storage and shipment thereof to a vehicle from which the missile is launched. The vehicle is provided with mechanism for cooperating with opening means disposed on the container for opening thereof at launch of the missile.

The invention described herein is subject to the reservation to the Government of a nonexclusive, irrevocable, royalty-free license in the invention with power to grant licenses for all governmental purposes.

Conventionally, missiles are shipped to a destination in a container and removed from the container when it is desired to fire the missile. The missile is then loaded in a launcher for firing. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to overcome the necessity of unloading a missile from a container for firing of the missile, by providing a container in which the missile is stored, shipped and then fired.

Further objects and features of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view, partially in section, of a missile in the container.

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a loader mechanism for loading the missile and container for firing of the missile.

FIGURE 3 is a schematic view of the launcher system including the container ends cut-off mechanism.

FIGURE 4 is a view of the missile being fired from a helicopter and the container being ejected.

As shown in FIGURE 1, a missile is shown in a cylindrical container 12 for sealed environmental protection in a controlled inert atmosphere throughout programmed shelf life of the missile. Container 12 may be made of glass reinforced plastics or similar composite material.

As required for use, the round in its container would be loaded in a launcher rack 16 (FIGURE 2). To prepare the missile for firing from the launcher, the rack would contain a mechanism 18 for removing the ends of the container. The container may have a tear strip adjacent each end thereof and mechanism 18 would include a means for engaging the tear strip for removal of the ends of the container. The round is then loaded (in the remaining open end cylinder) into a tube launcher 20. The missile is then fired and the cylinder ejected. If desired, mechanism 18 may include a pair of rotatable wheels 22 for frictional engagement with the container for rotation thereof against a pair of blades 24 (FIG- URES 2 and 3) for removal of the ends of the containers. The friction wheels may be powered for rotation by any conventional means known in the art. The container may, if desired, have score marks 25 at the point of engagement with the edges of the blades to assist in the cutting of the container.

To facilitate removal of the ends of the containers from the loading mechanism, a pair of openings 26 may be disposed in the loading mechanism adjacent the ends of the containers. To facilitate removal of the container from the launch tube, a slot or opening 28 may be provided therein. After one missile has been fired, the empty container is displaced by another missile loaded container entering the launch tube and allowed to fall through the opening 28. If desired, the launch tube may be provided with conventional cartridge ejecting mechanism to eject the empty container out of the launch tube as illustrated in FIGURE 4.

FIGURES 4 illustrates one application of the present invention and depicts missile 10 being fired from launcher 20 carried by a helicopter 30. Container 12 is shown being ejected from the launcher responsive to the firing of the missile.

In addition to providing sealed environmental protection throughout programmed shelf life of the missile, in a controlled inert atmosphere, further advantages of the present invention would be; minimum conventional ammunition surveillance or renovation would be necessary; ease of handling; ease of loading; and improved physical protection during shipment and storage.

It is to be understood that various modifications may be restored to that is Within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a missile handling and launching apparatus, a container for carrying said missile therein for sealed environmental protection in a controlled inert atmosphere during storage, shipment, and firing thereof, said missile being provided with propulsion means therein for propelling said missile to a target, a vehicle disposed for transportation of said missile to the vicinity of said target, a launching rack secured to said vehicle for support of said containers, a plurality of knife like elements secured to said launching rack for engagement with said containers adjacent the ends thereof, a plurality of friction wheels secured to said launching rack and disposed for rotating said containers against said knife like elements for removal of the ends of said containers, and a launch tube connected to said rack for receiving said open ended container for the firing of said missile and ejection of said container.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said container is of glass reinforced plastic material.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,318,241 5/1967 Gould 1O27.2 1,464,866 8/ 1923 Clark 10224 2,965,001 12/1960 Bobco et al. 891.804 3,264,985 8/1966 Reed 89-1.5 X 3,298,279 1/1967 Barnet et al 89-1.816 X SAMUEL W. ENGLE, Primary Examiner. 

